Vilnius, Lithuania is a beautiful city in Europe that is often overlooked because of it's small size.

The city has quite a remarkable history that makes special.

 

When traveling internationally, I often find the most beauty in unexpected places – the places that aren’t travel hotspots and written about in magazines and displayed on posters in travel agencies. Lithuania is one of those places that you typically don’t hear too much about, but those who do visit are left fascinated by what they discover.
Lithuania is a small Baltic country in Eastern Europe that has battled Russia for independence for many years. Finally in 1990, they gained their own independence. Though the country itself is still young, it has a deep history, culture, and beautiful lakes, forest, and nature.

Vilnius
The capital city of Vilnius has a very colorful personality – cobble stone streets lined with cafés and home to a vibrant art scene. The city is alive with outdoor concerts, exhibitions, and celebrations that regularly take place in Sereikiskes Park- the city’s largest park.
Curonian Spit
The Curonian Spit is another must see destination while in Lithuania. Baltic waves and sand dunes stretch for miles and even into Russia. Lithuanian folklore says that the Spit was created when a giant was playing at the beach and fell down, creating this desert-like stretch. One town on the stretch, Nida, is a popular beachfront vacation spot for Lithuanians.
For outdoor recreation and relaxation, Aukstaitija National Park has it all. Guests enjoy boating, fishing, and berry picking in the wilderness. For those wanting to stay a while, there are small cabins available.

Churches and Religion
The country of Lithuania is very Christian – consisting of both Protestant and Catholic churches. In 1831, the country fought in an unsuccessful battle for independence against Russia. People started planting crosses at the foot of a popular fort and eventually more and more crosses were placed there. Today there are more than 100,000 crosses- some are very small and others are giant crucifixes. Anyone is welcome to add crosses there as they see fit and it’s known as a very peaceful place with a great historical significance for the tiny country.
For the history fan, there is also a very popular Soviet statue park where guests can witness the solemn approach to life under the Soviet Union’s communistic rule.

Written by Erica Lange